Role Play 4

Candidate Cue Card

Setting: Hospital Ward

Nurse: You are speaking to a 45-year-old woman who has been admitted to the hospital with a
suspected stroke. You have been asked by the doctor to administer a Warfarin injection (anti-
coagulant) to the patient.
Task:

• Take the medical history of the patient before giving the injection.

"I’d like to have a more detailed picture of things. Could you tell me about any
illnesses you might have had in the past? like anemia or other disease?"

“Have you had any operations?"

"Any other visits to the hospital?

"Sorry, did you drink alcohol?"

"Are you on any other medication at the moment?"

• Explain that after the injection, Warfarin needs to be taken in tablet form
every day for the next four weeks.
“I am going to give you the warfarin injection. After that you should start taking
it in tablet form on an everyday for the next four weeks”
• Explain that you need to check with the doctor if she can continue her herbal
supplement (it may interfere with Warfarin or cause side effects)
“"I need to discuss again with the doctor whether you can continue your herbal
supplements or not."
"I'm afraid your herbal supplements may interact with warfarin and cause side
effects"
• Emphasise the importance of cautionary measures regarding Warfarin
(minimise Vitamin K in diet, avoid OTC medicines due to their interaction with
Warfarin, take a dose at the same time each day)
"While using this medicine you should watch for Vitamin K. this vitamin can affect
how well this medicine works. It is important to minimise of foods with vitamin K."
"Do not take any medicines like OTC or over-the-counter medicines except on the
advice of the doctor. It may interact with warfarin."
• Offer to provide a detailed patient information leaflet on Warfarin
"I can give you a patient information leaflet about more information Warfarin
 Injection "

• Advise the patient to stop the medication and contact the doctor immediately in
case of unusual or prolonged bleeding
"If you have a Side effects like unusual or prolonged bleeding, you should report to
your doctor as soon as possible."